Rhinotropis cornuta
Sierra milkwort
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygalaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Rhinotropis cornuta (Sierra milkwort) is a native California shrub in the Polygalaceae family.
Sierra milkwort is a California native perennial found in rocky or open habitats of California's mountain regions at elevations from 1,000 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from spring to summer, this plant produces delicate cream to pink flowers with ciliate wings and subtle rose to green keel petals. Growing with slender stems emerging from underground rhizomes, it forms low, spreading clumps typically 15 to 45 centimeters tall. Its leaves are linear to ovate, measuring 10 to 65 millimeters long with a narrow, graceful form. The fruit is dark yellow-brown, 5.9 to 10 millimeters long, and includes small, hairy seeds with distinctive aril coverings.
Habitat and range
California counties: Shasta, Fresno, Sierra, Mariposa, Siskiyou, Nevada, San Diego, El Dorado, Butte, Yuba, Trinity, Mendocino, Plumas, Humboldt, Lake, Del Norte, Ventura, Tehama, Placer, Los Angeles, Amador, Calaveras, San Bernardino, Sonoma
Frequently asked questions
Is Rhinotropis cornuta native to California?
Yes. Rhinotropis cornuta is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Rhinotropis cornuta grow?
Rhinotropis cornuta occurs in Shasta, Fresno, Sierra, Mariposa, Siskiyou, Nevada, San Diego, El Dorado and other counties.
What plant family does Rhinotropis cornuta belong to?
Rhinotropis cornuta is in the Polygalaceae family, genus Rhinotropis.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.